Time for Change [After the Gathering]

Frostfall padded into the Riverclan camp, her white pelt had dashes of blood here and there from wounds she had gotten from the gathering battle, though she wasn't defeated. She was the leader now. Fishstar was exiled. Riverclan would be stronger and would be run how the Dark Forest wanted, though she needed to address the clan. The white tabby looked around a bit unsure, but a nudge from Sunclaw gave her reassurance. She had Dark Forest warriors here, they would protect her from any outcry. This.. this would certainly go well.. Frostfall jumped up onto the Willow Branch and called out, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a clan meeting!"

Sunclaw, a beautiful ginger tabby, followed after Frostfall. Riverclan was her former clan, and honestly she wanted to see things go well for her former clan. While she might normally be a trickster, she was here on a mission. She was here to protect the new leader of Riverclan. She was here to make sure things went the way they were supposed to. She was here to chase out any cats that didn't agree with the way things were.

Reedfang heard Frostfall's call and padded out of the warriors den confused. Where was Fishstar? As far as he was told she was still in her position, and what was Frostfall doing up there? Who were these strange cats? What was going on? Did his sisters know?

Seedpaw padded up to sit below the willow branch. She was aware of what this meeting was about...obviously the Gathering. She knew some of her Clanmates were confused, but hopefully they'd accept Frostfall and the Dark Forest into their lives like she had. She wondered where her sister was.
I know for certain that Wolfpaw will like this! She thought happily.
She glanced around at her Clanmates gathering under the willow branch with a smile. Even though Seedpaw was used to seeing Fishstar up on the willow branch, she knew Frostfall would probably lead this Clan better.

Halfmoon padded out after Reedfang. Frostfall?... Why was Frostfall on the tree? She leaned against her mate. Where was Fishstar? Or Ivyfall?

Smokestorm returned to his former camp with the living cats. His ghostly fur did not retain water from the swim over, but for a moment he wished he could remember what it felt like to be soaked through when he was alive. He turned his amber gaze to Frostfall who was standing on the willow tree like the victorious leader she was destined to be. The dark tom gave a slow nod of approval without breaking his gaze and found a spot directly under the tree, near Sunclaw. The two would be more than enough to keep the living cats from getting any stupid ideas about rebellion.

Willowpaw padded into the camp limping and numb. She was about to sit down and look over her wounds but she heard Frostfalls call. She sighed hopelessly as she padded up to the willow branch and sat down looking up at her.

The ginger tabby tom padded out from the warriors den after his sister and her mate, curiosity and confusion settling in. Fallenblaze's eyes dashed around. He was spooked to see ghost-like cats sitting where his clanmates should, and also noticed that Fishstar and Ivyfall were gone. Does this have to do with the stars disappearing...?

Darkfrost didn't know why he had stayed behind with Riverclan. Maybe it was because his father had been a rouge and he couldn't bring himself to be one, too. Maybe it was because Riverclan was the only home he ever had, the only place that loved him and didn't abandon him as a kit. But something deeper was stirring in the white tom's heart; a reason that he just couldn't bring himself to accept. He was loyal to the Dark Forest, after all.

Thinstripe, Scorchfrost, Cinnamonstep, Honeypaw, even Shatteredsoul had all tried so hard to force him into the family, the latter four to force him to join their evil ways. Maybe the reason why Darkfrost pushed away from them and the Dark Forest was because he was afraid of what he'd become. All he needed to do was embrace it, and that is what he was starting to do.

Toadclaw looked up near his older sister, she was in charge of the Clan now. What would she report from the gathering? There was way to much to talk about, he looked towards Darkfrost, his friend, padding over he sat down next to his friend, but kept his eye on his sister.

Rippleshadow padded to the gathering cats, taking a seat next to Darkfrost and her former apprentice, Toadclaw. Her expression was stone cold as she looked up at Frostfall. What would happen when those who had stayed behind heard about what happened at the gathering? Would they start another rebellion? Rippleshadow enjoyed the thought of Riverclan throwing the Dark Forest out of their camp... But the thought didn't last. As she looked around, she realized many of the cats in the camp were happy that the Dark Forest had taken over. There were very few who still held out hope, like herself.

Goosestorm crossed the clearing and sat beside Halfmoon.

OOC: Shortness. Argh.

Tawnypaw padded into the meeting and sat beside her brother, wondering where Fishstar had been recently......and half the clan, for that matter.
(OOC: her ceremony isn't over yet but I'm using -paw just for convenience's sake as it's likely the apprentice ceremony will finish before this topic.)

"As some of you already know, and some of you will find out, the Dark Forest have taken over our skies, an how the clans run. Starclan has abandoned us, and the Dark Forest has stepped up in their place. They are here to make us strong, and protect us, and succeed where Starclan has failed. The only thing, the Dark Forest will only accept loyal cats under their protection. If you do not accept their rule, and still follow Starclan then I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave. But those of you that stay will experience a better life. You won't have to worry about being weak anymore or going hungry." Frostfall said. "Fishstar was driven out because she refused to believe Starclan had left us.. but she couldn't see the biggest evidence which was the stars disappearing. Silverpelt is no longer above us. Ivyfall has remained, and turned loyal to the Dark Forest." But she didn't know why her mother wasn't up her instead of her.

She wanted to make this sound like a sad case so they turn to their side. She looked at the dead warriors that had followed her. "These cats have come and taken residence with us. They are here to help us, and they are from the Dark Forest. They will assist in anyway they can." She looked back up to the cats she was addressing. "Ivyfall will remain in her deputy position seeing how she is a loyal, and strong warrior. Those who stay will be rewarded. Those who leave... don't ever come near clan territories again.. or we will be forced to teach you a painful lesson." She said. Now to wait for reactions.

Toadclaw swallowed, sure he didn't like the Dark Forest but he did have to obey them in anyway he was told. He couldn't believe that his mother had joined the Dark Forest, running against the Clan. He knew he could still trust her and his sister, hopefully at least.

Darkfrost's heart beat quickened. He had to decide; accept the truth, or deny the facts. His blue and gold gaze darted around at the Riverclan cats around him, seeing how they were reacting to Frostfall's words. Everyone seemed to be staying quiet, and the warrior knew someone needed to say something to break the awkward silence. "I am loyal, Frostfall. I will stay. I am accepting the Dark Forest." Darkfrost swallowed hard, nervous at being the first one to react. Had he said the right thing? Was this what he was supposed to do? Was he really ready to let go of his loyalties to Starclan and join the beckoning call of the Dark Forest?

Tawnypaw looked at Toadclaw. "I'll stay if you are. I don't want to join the Dark Forest, but I don't know where I'll go if I'm exiled. Whatever you do, I'll do."